Pictures courtesy of kaoded

A biomass fuel factory in Phrae province has been found to be operating without a required health hazard licence, despite ongoing complaints that pollution from the site has caused illness among dozens of nearby residents. Authorities confirmed the factory remains open while scientific tests are carried out, even as more than 30 villagers have been diagnosed with respiratory problems linked by locals to emissions from the plant.

The factory, operated by Green Terminal Co Ltd, is located in Moo 1, Ban Ton Muang, Pong Pa Wai subdistrict, Den Chai district. Villagers say pollution from dust, toxic substances, noise, wastewater seepage into farmland and persistent odours has affected daily life for several years, with impacts spreading to neighbouring communities.

Following a complaint filed with the Den Chai District Damrongtham Centre on 15 December 2025, Phrae Governor Somchai Lertprasitphan appointed a fact-finding committee led by Deputy Governor Chaisit Chaisamritphon. Investigations found that while the factory had permission from the Royal Forest Department and the provincial industry office to operate under cabinet resolutions, it exceeded its permitted scope.

Officials stated the factory was authorised to use only 13 specified types of wood, including eucalyptus, coconut, tamarind, chamchuri and sugar palm. However, it was found to be purchasing teak wood, claiming it was used as fuel for machinery, while the permitted woods were used to produce compressed wood products for sale.

Crucially, investigators confirmed the factory had never obtained a local licence to operate a business hazardous to health, despite expanding operations beyond its original Ror Ngor 4 permit by installing additional drying machinery. This licence must be issued by the Pong Pa Wai Subdistrict Municipality and failure to obtain it constitutes a clear legal offence.

To assess health impacts, the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 1 in Chiang Mai deployed a mobile environmental and occupational health monitoring unit to the community for 15 days. Public health academic Thamrongsak Saenyot said the equipment would provide scientific evidence linking air quality to respiratory illnesses, while medical teams from Phrae Hospital are scheduled to visit patients within the month.

Community representatives called for renewed dialogue between the factory and residents, citing concerns over opaque production processes and the lack of compensation for those already ill. Factory manager Sakda Phromlert insisted emissions meet legal industrial standards and said any link to illness must be scientifically proven, offering instead to contribute funds to a local community scheme.

Kaoded reported that Deputy Governor Chaisit said the factory must continue operating temporarily so emissions can be measured at the smokestack by health and industry officials, a process expected to take seven to ten days. He stressed that enforcement powers rest with the local authority and instructed the municipality to take legal action over the missing licence.

Key Takeaways

• A biomass factory in Phrae is operating without a legally required health hazard licence despite confirmed violations.

• More than 30 residents near the plant have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses after prolonged pollution exposure.

• Authorities are conducting scientific tests before further legal action by local government.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Kaoded 2026-01-12

 

 

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